After five cases of typhoid fever were reported in Sogod town, water sampling was conducted last week in barangay Calumboyan to trace the source in northern Cebu.
Reynan Cimafranca, chief of The Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU-7) of the Department of Health said the five patients were confined at Sogod District Hospital in the last week of August.
“Rapid testing was immediately conducted on the five patients and results were released last week,” Cimafranca said.
The five patients were already discharged from the hospital.
They were about to undergo a confirmatory test but Cimafranca said there was no more need because they were already given antibiotics.
No new cases of typhoid fever were reported since then.
Cimafranca said they still have to check the area after getting reports that some residents were self medicating.
Pending results of the water sampling by the RESU and Integrated Provincial Health Office, Cimafranca advised Calumboyan residents to boil their drinking water.
Chlorine granules were also distributed in the community to treat water that is possibly contaminated.
Typhoid fever is an infectious disease caused by salmonella typhi bacteria.
It spreads through the intake of contaminated food and water or through close contact with someone who is infected with the bacteria.
Persons who show signs and symptoms of the disease should consult a doctor. Symptoms include sustained high fever, headache, weakness, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort.
According to a DOH advisory, typhoid fever can be treated by antibiotics such as Ciprofilaxin for adults.
Pregnant women and children are treated with Ceftriaxone, an injectable antibiotic.
Self medication is strongly discouraged.
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